Chapter 1

Facade

You were not the type of person to mingle with others—especially huge clumps of people.

You specifically chose to linger by the sidelines like a bystander, with a silver tray clasped tightly to your chest; your e/c orbs briefly studied the hand motions of a group of high school students—their light laughs and gaggles—and you pursed your lips into a firm, straight line.

You, as well, used to mimic their clumsiness and naïve attitudes towards the world but that was a few years back as you were now a striving university student with a passion for architecture. School never consumed your time since the course was quite laidback and there were times you gave online courses a go when boredom knocked on your front door. And of course, you liked having lessons at your apartment—no blinding street lights with uncanny uproar in the blurry background.

Yes: that was simply how you were.

Adjusting the buttons adorning your white blouse, you straightened your posture and waited patiently for an order. You rarely had anything major to do except the usual: wiping tabletops and washing the glassware, but surprisingly today, business boomed vividly and your boss made sure you stayed on standby.

'He just doesn't want me breaking anymore glasses,' you thought, tugging at the black lacy ribbon fastened at your collar.

The small coffee shop you currently worked at was satisfying enough with its standard retro appearance with its warm and cozy interior one could relax perfectly in. You usually snuck in night-shifts when you had nothing better to do and the frosty air at night was much more enjoyable than the stuffy breezes that swept by during scorching afternoons. Thankfully the shop had an a/c much to your content.

"Excuse me? We'd like to order now!"

You took a deep breath and exhaled, allowing your cheerful façade to dominate, "Of course! What will suit your tastes?" You trudged to the group of high school students you were eyeing earlier on, pausing at their table to jot down their orders.

"I'd love this strawberry cake," a bespectacled female apprised, her finger pointing down towards the menu, "and the rest would like the same thing with coffee." Nods were sent your way and you let the pen twirl on your notepad.

"Understood," you said sweetly, taking a few seconds to double-check the list, "Would you like any recommendations? I suggest the Sunday Parfait—it's really hot on the menu this season."

The female shook her head, "Perhaps we'll try that the next time we drop by, right?" She beamed brightly at her friends that merely agreed with her in a matter of moments, but you couldn't help but feel disappointed with yourself.

"Then I look forward to your next visit. Five strawberry cakes with five cups of coffee coming right up!" You whirled on your heels, marching off with heavy steps to the kitchen to handle the task and you were instantly greeted with one of your co-workers,

"Hi [Y/N]—working hard as always?"

Your lips curled upwards, "Hitomi, flattery won't get you anywhere." The man you addressed shrugged his shoulders in defeat, his back facing you as he dealt with the pastry set out in front of him, "I'm going to need five of those popular strawberry cakes of yours and another five cups of coffee."

"Young lads keep craving for some sugar nowadays," Hitomi whined like a cheeky child, "Alright, five cakes coming right up but do me a favor and make the coffee."

You let out a laugh, "We have a dispenser for that, you know." There was no way you were going to make coffee; the taste always rendered a person with utter foulness and once Hitomi spent a whole day in the bathroom because of god who knows what you dipped into the beverage.

"About that," he began, swallowing thickly as if there was a lump rising in his throat, "The dispenser broke and we're kind of short of hand at the moment."

"Hah?" You deadpanned with a hint of exasperation embedded in your tone, "Don't tell me you broke it again?"

Hitomi waved the butter knife in the air without the slightest intention of spinning around to view your deeply vexed expression, "You know how my Quirk is at times. Rosalina walked in on me at a bad timing and it accidentally activated on its own; little surprises always make me jump in fright."

You sighed, 'His super strength Quirk can be handy at times but I wish shock didn't trigger it.'

"But I'm still not making coffee."

"Huh? Why?" The platinum blonde patisserie dabbed the creamy frosting coated with bubbly pink onto the cakes prior to whirling around, "Your coffee is the best!" You could definitely discern sarcasm in the older adult's voice, your lips bending into a little frown.

A sly smirk then crept onto your visage, "Alright. I'll make sure to include an extra cup for you as well. Make sure you stocked up a lot of toilet paper." Hitomi nervously shook his head, beads of sweat trickling down his face and you knew that you had claimed easy victory.

"On second thought, I think I'll handle the coffee," he chirped, and he hurriedly returned to task with you sliding a tray of Chinese teacups onto the counter full of various sweets and delicacies that could make a confectioner squeal in sheer delight.

Reaching your hand out, you snagged a round, chocolate chip muffin and took a bite out of it to satisfy the growling beast rampaging in your stomach. You weren't really a fan of chocolate, but the way it melted onto your tongue like fine, juicy syrup made your taste buds dance in merriment. You happily chewed; enjoying the smooth texture of the chocolate chips bounce against your tongue and the fluffiness of the darkened brown bread compelled you to desire more of the saccharine flavor, but Hitomi's grinning face disrupted your sense of bliss and you placed the half-eaten muffin back onto the counter.

"You sure you're not going to finish that?" He bemused, settling his hazel orbs onto your form.

You snarled in response, "I'd get sick to the stomach if I did."

"Harsh as always I see," Hitomi chuckled softly and silence seeped into the room after the chatter, your hands bawling into fists.

You weren't like this at all—this wasn't your real self.

"I'm…heading outside for some fresh air," you informed, relieving yourself of the chalky apron that excruciatingly embraced your slim waist and Hitomi hummed in acknowledgment, too preoccupied with perfecting his pastry.

The air outside was cold but fresh and enlivening, the orange evening sky dimming at each passing minute and the rich green leaves of spring swayed side to side in the swift breeze caressing your face as you shut the back door. You didn't have a night-shift today, and you were to head home in another hour to complete a project for the next day. People often wondered if you were exhausted with the different shifts and the work university loaded onto your shoulders, but you were fine. And they didn't have to bother you anymore.

Stretching your arms in the air to relax your tensed muscles, your e/c eyes settled on a pitch black van perched on the sidewalk, not too far from your position and although it appeared to be ordinary, you couldn't help the frigid chills crawling up your spine. And a high pitched scream inside the shop pierced through your thoughts, answering your inquiries.

'Ominous black vans are always suspicious, [Y/N!]'

Stumbling to your feet as you burst through the door, more bloodcurdling wails and whimpers rang across the shop and you dived behind the marble counter to peer at the scene. A masked man held Hitomi from behind, an arm wrapped around the blonde's torso and the other holding a butcher knife close to Hitomi's throat, jittery fumbling inside of the terrified male.

How could all of this happen in such short time—in mere moments?

You could see the rise and fall of Hitomi's chest, desperately trying to gather a bundle of courage and calmness but he was still trembling like a scared child. A deep, hoarse voice echoed throughout the kitchen and Hitomi's captor relentlessly dragged the blonde away to the patron, the ghastly groan of the door flinging wide open. You were met with hushed whispers and murmurs in the opposite side of the shop, thinking that you were safe and sound; far away from the perpetrators.

But you were wrong.

Jolting upwards in fright, you felt fingers curl round your neck in splitting seconds and you were rammed against the tiles, a sudden weight planting itself onto your back as you helplessly coughed for air.

"Well what do we have here?" A gruff voice inquired in plain ridicule, "A waiter we failed to seize?"

Your captor seized you by the neck yet again, lifting your body up without any struggle like the light ragdoll you were. You cussed under your breath, black blurry dots painting your vision as your feet dangled above the floor. It was as if you were floating in midair, but you could still feel the male's large fingers coiling firmly round your neck. You could try putting your Quirk in action, but the question was: would it work?

"Mute, are we?" The male questioned with tease, taking huge, hefty footsteps as he proceeded to the door where his comrades were located, "Not that I care anyway. It'll be more pleasurable for me if you can't scream in agony as I trace my knife on your lovely skin." His hot breath tickled your ear and you didn't like it one bit.

Wriggling to escape his grip, you aimlessly kicked backwards to render an injury onto the male but he snickered in response, grinning from ear-to-ear at your pathetic struggle. He pushed the door open, and tossed you onto the floor like a worthless object near the squirming hostages. There were at least four of the masked man, each wielding a weapon as support—perhaps to aid their Quirk—and you bit your lip in aggravation, silently contemplating whether you should do something or suffer the aftermath of this regular robbery.

Hitomi was sprawled on the floor—uninjured to your avail—but he was as still as a statue, unconscious due to all the shock. Your eyes darted to Rosalina who held a shivering young boy on her lap, fear written all over her place and you were thankful that your other co-workers had left earlier than usual that day. Your boss? His whereabouts were none of your concern.

"Damn it," you breathed, taking note of the high school students cowering beside you and you felt a surge of urgency flood through your veins like thick blood.

You had to protect them, or at least reassure them in a way.

"Hey, look at all this cash! The boss was right to suggest this place—they're freakin' loaded!" One boomed, wrecking the cashier and scavenging through the drawers like a mindless fool.

Another pinched in, "Tie them up," his gaze fell upon you to your dismay as he scanned the crowd filled with terror, "Question her. She should know where the vault is?"

'Do we even have a vault!?'

"A 'righty, I'll do that." The male who had taken a liking to you before sprang to his feet, making his way towards you with a toothy smile, "Hey, mind telling me where the rest of the cash is, mute? I appreciate hand gestures too."

You spat in his face, aiming your shin for his chin as you bolted upright and you heard a crackling sound as your shin collided with the designated area you were hoping for it to hit. The masked male staggered to the floor, his chin smeared with vague blood and his companions drew out their weapons, completely surprised by the act of retaliation. They made a wrong choice to distance themselves from the hostages because if they didn't, then you would've been in a pickle.

"Bitch!" The bruised male hissed in frustration, charging straight at you with bloodshot eyes but he froze in his tracks, your Quirk finally taking control.

A swirl of blue mist encircled the perpetrators, ebony rays of shadows looming over the room as you stepped forward with impending doom. A haze drooped down onto them, engulfing their bodies in swift motion as their pupils bulged on the spot to the image piecing itself out together in front of them. An illusion swept them in its clutches, a towering beast with vicious fangs staring intently at them as you concentrated with all your might with precision.

It was tiring to cultivate a mass mirage of atrocity and with your lack of practice, the illusion wavered bit by bit but it seemed to terrify the evil doers.

The customers watched in amazement, wondering what you were doing to freeze the thieves in a single go. Only the victims of your Quirk and you, yourself, could witness the great illusion you created and you felt a wave of accomplishment—pride—wash over you. But these emotions were smashed once your concentration was disrupted, the hazy clouds of indigo dissipating into nothingness.

It was all for naught.

The four masked males regained their composure in a matter of seconds, "What the hell was that?"

"It was that damn woman's Quirk!"

You were done for.

One flung his weapon towards you in alacrity, his speed transcending your very own as you tumbled to your knees in search for safety. Some hero you were trying to be out there. He directed his knife towards your chest, shutting your eyes quickly since you did not want to see bloody crimson all over you.

But there was no pain.

Snapping your eyes wide open—as if in slow motion—crystalline shards blew past you with a rush of frosty wind hitting your bare neck as your ponytail flung forward, the color black hitting your vision as everything sped to life again and a loud thud could be heard as you scrambled to your feet in astonishment.

A male stood in front of you, striking black hair cascading down his shoulders as the wind forced itself inside the patron, the shattered window allowing access to the area. Your attacker was entangled in long strips of grey cloth, his knife kicked far away from him as possible. You gulped. Was he a hero?

"I finally have a day off to enjoy a cup of coffee and this is what I get," the black haired male grumbled, incredibly irritated by the events.

"W-who the hell are you!?" The wrapped up perpetrator demanded, his comrades shifting stances.

The black haired male heaved a tired sigh before tugging at the cloth, "Someone who's going to put you guys in your rightful place." He lunged forward, hauling the cloth towards his stature in promptness and his fist instantly collided with the face of his first victim, "Now whose next?"

The remaining three charged at him with roars, swinging their knives and daggers ridiculously like plastic toys and the black haired male retracted his cloths from the fainted victim, letting them coil round the fools as he spun them around. It was no ordinary cloth—it subdued them rather rapidly and the supposed hero shoved their weapons aside prior to landing blows across their faces to render them unconscious.

You watched in amazement; your orbs glowing with admiration.

He fished his phone out from his jumpsuit, pushing a few buttons, "Hello? This is Eraserhead calling; a planned-out robbery I suppose at Takashi-1 street: Sangaku Complex, 2-3-2." His dark orbs trailed over the people looking at him in the patron, including you, "Around fifteen victims. Send a medic in case of injuries, I'm going to check them now." He ended the call with a click and walked towards you in a sluggish manor.

"Are you hurt?" He mumbled, loud enough for you to hear and you bobbed your head up and down in confirmation, "Good."

"U-umm," you stammered, unaware of your sudden squeamish behavior, "Thank you." He stared at you for a brief moment, examining your smaller form, causing your cheeks to suddenly redden with embarrassment.

His mouth opened slightly, "You have glass in your hair." He motioned you to stay quiet as he picked out the shards from your messy hair—probably on par with his own and you could hear the sirens in the background drawing closer.

"T-Thank you," you stuttered once again, mentally scolding yourself for the abrupt change in character, but this was how you were in reality: a stuttering mess with cheekiness that you smothered in seriousness and cruelty. You normally used your Quirk to force a façade at work and at university, but right now it wasn't in action.

"Oh, I erased your Quirk on instinct."

'Huh?"

"You…erased my Quirk?"

The black haired hero blinked, "its back now. Can I place an order?" He groaned, dragging his feet to the remaining customers recovering from the scene, "One cup of coffee please."

You were utterly confused, but obediently scrambled to the kitchen where you got to work, not minding that whatever you whipped up in the process would be terrible. You set the single unfazed Chinese teacup with flowery embroidery onto the counter and tended at the task with hurry but your movements were dipped with gentleness, thoroughly reminding yourself that this was some sort of... thank-you gift to your savior.

Huffing at the outcome, you placed the cup on your tray as if it was a habit and scurried off into the patron that was now filled with policemen and medics paying attention to the other victims and you heaved a sigh of relief when your eyes settled on the conscious Hitomi who was now eyeing the damage done to the shop with a grief-stricken expression.

You chuckled.

"Is that for me?" Your ears perked up at an unexpected mumble and you spun round to see the hero that had helped you.

"Thank you," he quirked a brow in puzzlement, "I mean, y-yes. It's a thank you gift I guess?"

The black haired hero scooped the teacup up with delicacy, stealing a quick sip of the coffee, "Not bad." He didn't seemed to mind the scorching hot temperature of his beverage; in fact, he liked how the bitterness and heat merged with one another.

You really weren't expecting that comment, and your face flushed.

He carefully placed the cup back onto your tray with a ghost of a smile, "Well, thanks for the coffee and sorry about the place. See ya." The hero arched his body forward, but you leaped in front of him with your arms stretched on either side.

"Wait! Your name?"

He let out a small grunt, "Eraserhead."

"Isn't that your hero name? I meant your actual name," you evidently stated, but all you got in reply were mumbles and annoyed groans.

"That's all you need to know."

He disappeared amidst the clatter of policemen and one latched at you with questions which you had to oblige in answering, but something inside of you sparked with intensity and you just knew that you had to see this "Eraserhead" once more.

Author's note: This is my first fan fic in quite a long while so I hope you all don't mind the mistakes and such. Comments are appreciated very much and don't hesitate to drop by an opinion.

Thank you for reading!